description Kepler-36b Overview
Rocky super-Earth discovered in 2012 sharing an unusually close orbit with the larger Kepler-36c, with the two planets passing within 0.013 AU of each other — one of the tightest adjacent pairs known.
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What type of planet is Kepler-36b?
It is a rocky super-Earth exoplanet. This means it is larger and more massive than Earth, but composed primarily of solid rock.
What makes the orbit of Kepler-36b so unusual?
It shares an incredibly close and dynamic orbit with the larger planet Kepler-36c. The two planets pass within 0.013 astronomical units of each other, which is one of the tightest adjacent planetary pairs known.
How was Kepler-36b discovered?
It was discovered in 2012 using data gathered by the Kepler Space Telescope. The telescope detected the slight dimming of its host star caused by the planets passing in front of it.
What would happen if Kepler-36b and Kepler-36c collided?
Due to their close proximity, their orbits create extreme gravitational tides on each other. However, despite looking unstable, they are actually locked in a stable orbital resonance that prevents a collision.
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